JERUSALEM, Sept 16 (Reuters) - Turning Israeli politics on its head, Ariel Sharon drew attacks from the right and praise from the left on Friday after taking to the world stage and voicing recognition of Palestinians’ right to statehood.

Sharon’s speech to the U.N. General Assembly on Thursday calling for compromise to “end this bloody conflict” was more conciliatory than many had expected from an Israel leader long vilified internationally as an intransigent hardliner.